Everton close on Martinez as Toffees plan official approach for Wigan boss

Roberto Martinez was closing in on
the Everton job after appearing to edge ahead of his rivals
to succeed David Moyes.

The Wigan manager has flown home to
Spain to spend the weekend pondering his next move after meeting
chairman Dave Whelan and asking for more time to decide his future.

The wait goes on: Martinez will hold further talks on his future with Whelan on Monday

While Whelan interpreted that as evidence that Martinez may stay and plot a route back to the Barclays Premier League for relegated Wigan, Sportsmail understands Everton are planning an official approach for the 39-year-old Spaniard.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay, Celtic manager Neil Lennon, Steve Clarke of West Bromwich Albion and Porto coach Vitor Pereira have all figured in chairman Bill Kenwright’s thoughts as Everton step up their quest for a new manager in the wake of Moyes’ move to Manchester United.

But Martinez appears to be in pole position after it emerged Everton are ready to seek permission to open talks on his return from Spain and determine the level of compensation needed to prise him away.

Despite finally losing a relegation battle at the DW Stadium, the FA Cup-winning boss is in demand, with Stoke also monitoring his deliberations. They want a change of emphasis from the direct, physical approach favoured by the sacked Tony Pulis and believe Martinez is ideally suited to introduce a passing style that would be easier on the eye.

But sixth-placed Everton are viewed as a more attractive proposition by the former Swansea manager, who is ready to take assistant manager Graeme Jones with him to Goodison Park.

Chuffed with the cup: Martinez with chairman Dave Whelan after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final

Losing Martinez would come as a
massive setback for Whelan, who outlined ambitious plans for upgrading
facilities during talks with him earlier this week and claimed both men
were ‘mad keen’ to steer the club back into the Premier League.

While Martinez prepares to open
discussions with Everton, Stoke have made contact with Mark Hughes as
they look to replace Pulis.

Officials at the Britannia Stadium have
made their interest known to Hughes — who has been out of football since
being sacked by Queens Park Rangers in November — after deciding he
would be a ‘good fit’ for their change of direction.

Other candidates are under consideration, including Martin Jol of
Fulham, but Hughes has emerged as the choice of key decision-makers and
is known to be ready to relaunch a management career that began with
Wales in 1999 before switching to club football at Blackburn in 2004.

He left Ewood Park four years later for Manchester City, where he spent
18 months before being replaced by Roberto Mancini. A one-season spell
at Fulham followed before he was named QPR manager in January 2012.

Hughes saved the Loftus Road club from relegation that season, but was
sacked only three months into the campaign which has just ended.